How to Cut a Pineapple

I’m a firm believer that shopping locally and seasonally for fruits and vegetables is the way to go. The produce tends to taste better and cost less. Plus, foods have a lighter carbon footprint when hauled from 50 miles away instead of 5000. I do make some exceptions, however, most notably for one of my favorites in the fruit aisle: fresh pineapple. Unless I happen to be in an exotic locale, it’s one fruit that’s never going to be available in my neck of the woods. So when I do buy a pineapple, I want to make it count. Here are a few good things to know:

1. Pineapple Doesn’t Ripen After it’s Harvested

So, what you see is what you get. Its sugar content won’t increase once picked, although the exterior will appear more golden over time. Your nose is one of the best tools when choosing a pineapple. Smell the stem end, looking for a fresh, pineapple scent. If it has a sour or fermented smell, give it a pass.

2. The Outside Matters!

The exterior of the pineapple should be yellow or green without browning on the shell or leaves.

3. It’s Full of Nutritional Benefits.

It’s a sweet, juicy, nourishing fruit that is about 80 calories per cup, with about 2 grams of fiber, a good dose of vitamin C, and the enzyme bromelain, which is a digestive aid.

I have ripened a pineapple by wrapping it in a towel and putting it in a dark place. I don’t know about the sugar content but it did get softer and smelled better. It did taste sweet too. This also works with papaya. Of course, I live in Africa and and am buying directly from someone who probably picked the pineapple. By the way, the link to the cucumber/ pineapple drink did not work for me. Is that an error from my end or the link? I love your recipes. I use your sabzi and rotisserie chicken recipe at least every other week.

Good tip for ripening a pineapple. I do something similar for summer fruits, such as peaches and apricots….in a brown paper bag out of sunlight. It works! Sorry about the cucumber pineapple link…it seems the recipe is no longer posted. Glad you like my recipes! I love having readers who tune in from different parts of the globe!